Tom Coughlin, head coach of the Super Bowl winning New York Giants, spoke about the importance of having a player like quarterback Eli Manning in a leadership role for the Giants.

The New York Times quoted Coughlin: “Eli stood up in the team meeting the other day and said a lot of things that were responded to not only by the young kids, but by the veterans as well…I think that the information gathering and sharing of information from someone who has been there and succeeded, that can be extremely valuable.”

Not every valuable employee wins the Super Bowl. Not every valuable employee gets quoted in the newspaper. Not every valuable employee has a formal leadership position.

Many valuable leaders are clutch players who work in cubicles.

Cubicle Dramas

While some people are clutch employees, others are nasty. My friend Angi has had a long legacy of patience and wisdom among friends and co-workers. Recently, Angi posted on Facebook:

“If you are going to be outright mean at work..then I am going to politely call you out on it. Seriously people, we have to spend 8.5 hours together at work, why not be kind and merciful to each other? You want me to get all professional on you, I totally will…” Her vengeance for rudeness? Patience and communication lessons, including:

Inter-Office Communication – “The words please and thank you, can get you far…”

Goal Setting: “You will not possess what you are not willing to pursue…”

Cubicle Dilemmas

Sometimes you try to be a hero — to make a clutch play — and it looks like you fumbled. “No matter what I do or say at work today…it totally comes out…wrong. I googled one thing to double check my work and BAD stuff came up (and ..now I am waiting for our internet security to call me)…”

And, if that’s not bad enough, “then I say something completely innocent, and apparently it came out…with a different conotation. GREAT DAY!”

While some people drop the ball, Angi readily looks for ways to recover fumbles. Then there are the days, you’re called on to be a clutch player — to recover fumbles — when someone else should have just done their job properly.

“Best …email response EVER. Someone TELLS me to do something (not my job..yes, I know how to do it, but still….not my job), and I respond with “Sure, would you like me to so you how to do this for future reference? It is really quick and easy”… the persons response (Higher Ups are CC’d) “No-Thanks” WOW”

Cubicle Difference-Maker

Angi is able to be a clutch player because, she is not only generally intelligent, but she also has emotional intelligence: • She is self-aware and aware of her own emotions. • While she may feel her emotions, she manages her emotions and avoids drama. • She is sensitive to the emotional state of her co-workers. • Through emails, kind words, notes and gifts she encourages co-workers. • She — through words, deeds and her example — motivates others to achieve our goals.

How did Angi become a clutch player in her cubicle, well that’s her story to tell, but from an admirer’s perspective it would be easy to say her drive comes from seeing beyond the obvious. Recently, she spread the wise words of:

“If you want to feel rich, just count the things you have that money can’t buy.”

Bring on the comments

I am so proud to call Angi my family:) she is a true inspiration in how she deals with people and problems that arise. I wish that I had her ability to respond to every situation with the care and concern for others and herself that she has. Thank you for sharing this I know that this made her smile:)

I’m sorry for the delay in responding to your comment. I’m just back from vacation.
I’m honored that you read this post, thank you for joining us!
I love that you can see Angi’s good heart at work.
I’ve gotten to appreciate her for many years.